[Functional anatomy of the human spleen]

For surgery of the spleen the variability of the splenic artery and the lack of major intrasplenic anastomoses are important. The latter enables segmental resections. Lymphocyte subsets, macrophages and dendritic cells, which are necessary for immune responses of the spleen, show a specific localisation in the splenic compartments. The spleen is the most important organ for lymphocyte recirculation. Intracellular particles and membrane defects of red cells are removed from the erythrocytes as they pass through the pulp cords of the red pulp. A knowledge of the functional anatomy of the spleen helps to interpret the effects of splenectomy and splenic transplantation.